Band Biography as sent to the South Dakota Rock and Roll Music Association

The Zero Ted Band got its start in Lawrence, Kansas in 1970 with 5 musicians, two from Kansas and three from Vermillion, SD. The band was originally to be called "The Blue Things” (Version 2.0) and was to booked by the Mid Continent Enterprises. However, after a disagreement with the agency about the musical direction, the band changed its name to the “Zero Ted Band” (named after a wayward cat which is said to have been able to crawl backwards down trees) and moved to Denver, CO. Shortly thereafter, the band moved to a farm house near Vermillion where they began developing a reputation as one of the more progressive rock bands of the era.  

The band went through several changes in members over the roughly 4 years of their existence. Zero Ted was always known for having some of the best musicians in the Midwest including Sioux Falls luminaries Mark Craney and Mike Miller.  What started out as more of a classic rock band morphed into an eclectic progressive rock band as new members allowed for more experimentation. So, while originally playing cover songs from the “Allman Brothers”, “Buffalo Springfield”, “Johnny Winter”, etc. the band progressed into a more eclectic style of music covering songs from bands such as “Yes”, “The Mahavishnu Orchestra” and “Gentle Giant”.

Zero Ted continued to tour the quad state area in their often broken down school bus playing concerts on occasion with the Sons of Champlin and others. In 1972 founding members Mike “Mac” McCormick (keyboards) and Doug "Diamond" Habbena (bass) regrouped with three musicians from Waseca, MN; Steve McLoone (vocals), Jim Kozan (keyboards), and Keith Deike (drums).  Jeff Severson from Madison, SD was added on guitar and the group went on to record 4 original songs at Westminst'r Sound in Otho, IA.  Some of those songs have been released on the official Zero Ted Band website: (http://www.michaelamccormick.com/ztb. The band also has a Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/ZeroTedBand .

The Zero Ted live show was sometimes complimented by roadie/comedian Michael Grunendike from Aberdeen, SD, who between sets would take the stage as The Mahavishnu Grunedesh and would 'shotgun' a six pack of Budweiser while explaining to the audience the path to becoming One with themselves.

The Full List of ZTB Members:
(*Founding Members)

Bass
Doug Habbena*

Keyboards:
Mac McCormick*
Jim Kozan

Guitars:
Gary Knutson*
Dave Jewel*
Dan Donohoe
Mike Miller
Jeff Severson

Drums:
Bob Laushman*
Mike Watts
Mark Craney
Dean Davis
Keith Dieke

Roadies:
Harlan Busch
Don Woods
Dwight Jorgenson
Mark Rymer
Richard Schriever